When Atlanta filmmaker, Anthony Mchie's 6th grade daughter needed community service hours for her school's Jr. Beta Club, he sought out a volunteer opportunity that was age appropriate. After visiting the website, Hands On Atlanta, one of the largest community-based volunteer service organizations in the U.S, he discovered the Chastain Park Conservancy. So, last Saturday, March 7th, the Sandy Springs resident brought both of his daughters, Amali and Anisa to Chastain Park. "I like to volunteer, because it makes me feel good to help people and the environment," said Amali.

Another father/daughter duo, Tom and Margaret Coleman came out to help, too. As his 11 1/2 year old daughter got down to raking up piles of leaves on Lake Forest Drive, her dad recalled the last time they volunteered together at the CPC and planted daffodils over by the playground.

Also in attendance to lend a hand were Paul Schlanta and his 6th grade son, Ben. According to Paul,

Beginning Saturday, March 28, friends and neighbors of the CPC are invited to take free classes from the North Fulton Master Gardeners at Farm Chastain. Additional classes will follow one Saturday of each month March through October (except for April.) To sign-up for the classes, visit our Meet Chastain page.

The idea for the Farm Chastain program is the brainchild of conservancy Board Member, Rosie Davidson, who will teach the classes along with her North Fulton Master Gardener associates. "Some people paint, but my way of being an artist is in the garden," said Davidson, whose own backyard made the Atlanta Botanical Garden's 2014 Tour of Private Gardens.

Farm Chastain, an adjunct of the Chastain Park Conservancy is an educational urban garden. Since 2013, hundreds of school children, adults, veterans and anyone interested in organic gardening and living a healthy lifestyle have visited the farm.

On behalf of the Chastain Park Conservancy Board of Directors and staff, we'd like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all of our End of Year donors. Your generous donations, which exceeded our goals, will help us move forward with many improvements for the park in 2015.

Projects that will benefit from your support include WalkChastain, the widening of .9 mile of the PATH on Powers Ferry Road. Funds received will go towards the start of construction on PlayChastain, a 40,000 square foot natural learning environment and world class playground. We'll also be able to repair our historic picnic pavilions this year. Plus, we'll keep doing all the things we do every day like pick-up leaves, plant grass seed, remove graffiti and put doggie bags around the PATH.

We'd like to invite you to attend our annual meeting in early February and other events to follow. Please "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay updated on upcoming events and the progress we're making thanks to you.

The CPC hosted a special guest at "Holidays in the Park" last Saturday. Not only did this give the children around Chastain a chance to tell Santa their list, but to also get their picture taken with him. To see our entire scrapbook of snapshots with Santa, please visit our Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Jay Smith.

The first of a series of approvals from the Atlanta Parks Department and City of Atlanta are underway for the commencement of construction for Play Chastain. This first of many steps of approvals is one that both the Parks Department and the Chastain Park Conservancy considers to be one of the most important – the trees in the park. One of Chastain Park’s signature trademarks is the canopy of trees that blanket the northern half of the park which is why the Conservancy remains committed to preserving the health and beauty of the park’s urban forest.

The construction plans for Play Chastain propose the removal of 22 trees of seven different species to make way for the westward expansion of the existing playground as well as the addition of a public restroom - these trees will soon be marked with an orange “X” to indicate to the public of their planned removal. But fear not, the playground plans have been designed in a manner that will carefully preserve the majestic century old mature oaks scattered throughout the 6 acre playground site. Additionally, as part of the overall playground plans, the Conservancy has planned for the addition of 101 new trees of

Great News! We’ve just received our permit from the City of Atlanta to begin construction on our Walk Chastain project, which will make the Powers Ferry portion of the path wider and safer.

This project, along with Play Chastain, is part of the Conservancy's $5.2 million capital campaign. The PATH Foundation, which will manage the construction of the project, is preparing to start the contractor selection process and hopes to break ground in early 2015. Walk Chastain enhancements include widening the path from 4 foot to 10-12 feet, increasing the safety buffer from cars to 4 foot plus, installing granite curbs and a guardrail, and improving crosswalk intersections.

Thanks to all who #lovechastain and have donated to this crucial improvement for our most valued green space. If you'd like to donate to Walk Chastain, please click here. Then, stay posted for updates on Walk Chastain as we continue our mission at the CPC to restore, enhance, maintain and preserve Chastain Park

This past spring and summer, hundreds of kids of all ages came to visit us and learn about urban gardening. But did you know Farm Chastain also delivered real health benefits to others beyond its gates?

Did you know that two of Chastain Park's five picnic pavillions located throughout the park are the original structures built in the 1940's? These gathering spots come with grills and picnic tables. (The park actually has 12 grills.) Some of the pavillions are smaller with one picnic table that seats about 16 -- perfect for birthday parties. A few pavillions have four tables that provide plenty of seating space for about 64 people - ideal for family reunions and company picnics. According to Ray Mock, Director of Communications, "if you build it, they will come. The last time the Chastain Park Conservancy restored, enhanced and preserved a picnic pavillion, a family reuniion was held there the very next day!"

This weekend, the pavillion closest to the green lot will receive some much needed TLC thanks to 17 year old Warren Reece. The teenager is undertaking the project on behalf of an Eagle Scout project. He and his father will be replacing the punctured roof and damaged wood. They willl also repaint the pavillion to cover graffiti. The project is expected to take two weekends.

Upon completion, the covered green space will be open to the public, first come first serve. Just bring your own food and charcoal. You can even build a fire in a contained open fireplace near the pavillion. Just another reason thousands of people in the past, present and future #lovechastain!

We are happy to share this information with you from Pete Pellegrini of the PATH Foundation in regards to the new Powers Ferry PATH: "The Design team has successfully minimized the construction impact placed on the existing trees that front the new PATH," said Pellegrini. "A total of one tree will be removed by the proposed construction with the park receiving a total of ten new three-inch caliper trees as well as a safer trail venue for those visiting the park. The CPC has created a win/win for all project stakeholders that will meet the Atlanta Tree Ordinance and create another generation of trees for all park visitors to enjoy for the next 70 years."

"As a Conservancy, we take great care in protecting the existing tree canopy and ensuring we plant new trees that are appropriate to the area," said Rosa McHugh, Executive Director of the Chastain Park Conservancy.